Wasilla opens prep football season with big win over West Valley

Isaiah Smith debuted as Wasilla High School’s varsity quarterback. And it wasn’t the average first start, in any way.

Smith went through ankle surgery about 10 months ago. Plus, he had never played behind center before. But the converted running back came through for the Warriors in a big way.

Smith accounted for nearly 400 yards of total offense and six total touchdowns, and led Wasilla to a 48-24 win over the West Valley Wolfpack in the 2023 season opener for both teams Friday night at Veterans Memorial Field in Wasilla.

“He saw a need in the offseason and came to me and said, coach what do you think about quarterback?” Wasilla head coach Matt Jaronk said after the win. “We didn’t have a natural fit there. I was like, OK, let's give it a shot.”

Jaronik said they worked with Smith twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m., throughout the summer to prepare the first-year signal caller for his new gig.

“He attacked that like a leader,” Jaronik said of his quarterback.

Smith responded on Friday, completing 12 of 15 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns. He ran the ball 22 times for 195 yards and two more scores.

“The running back in him shows,” the head coach said.

Smith is among a group of new starters who are filling the void for a program that lost about 15 players to graduation after the 2022 season. Jaronik noted a pair of offensive lineman who have stepped up, guard Hunter Shields and tackle Whalen Halverson-FinazzoGagnon.

Toben Michaud was a top target, snagging four catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns. Jimmy Lackey had two touchdowns, a 15-yard catch and a 9-yard run. Keegan Feezell-Wild hauled in a 48-yard score.

“We just want to be versatile in how we handle our stuff,” Jaronik said.

In other action, Palmer opened its season with a 10-7 win over Chugiak, Houston flew past rival Redington 60-0 and defending Division I state champion Colony suffered a 41-20 loss to West Anchorage.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at editor@frontiersman.com.